IN the wonderful world of football, a lot can change in a week. After tumbling out of the Carling Cup on penalties at Crewe on Tuesday night, a spot-kick save enabled the Black Cats to extend their winning Championship run to four games at Leeds.

Thomas Myhre never got anywhere near Crewe's four successful spot-kicks at Gresty Road but, after Stephen Caldwell had been penalised for fouling Clarke Carlisle last night, Mart Poom showed him how the job should be done.

He was helped by Leeds striker Brett Ormerod producing one of the weakest penalties imaginable - but, by producing a successful diving stop, the Estonian helped to ease the pain of yet more shoot-out misery just three days earlier.

The save was all the more crucial given Carl Robinson's well-taken second-half strike that ultimately proved good enough to settle a game that was high on effort but woefully short on skill.

It might have been a clash between two clubs deserving of Premiership status but, for much of the game, it was easy to see why these two sides are desperately scrapping in English football's second tier.

Sunderland's boundless energy won through though and, with McCarthy's side now sitting in fourth place in the table, the Black Cats boss can be pleased with what is rapidly turning into a September to savour.

After making wholesale changes for Tuesday night's defeat, McCarthy returned to something close to his full-strength line-up for the trip to Elland Road.

Caldwell made his first return to West Yorkshire following a three-month loan spell at Leeds last season, while Darren Carter made his second appearance for the Black Cats after making a temporary move of his own from Birmingham.

Chris Brown retained his place in the starting line-up after bagging a brace on his debut three days earlier and, in the absence of hamstring victim Marcus Stewart, the 19-year-old partnered fellow youngster Elliott, with comeback kid Michael Bridges warming the bench.

Elliott's pace and energy was at the fore as the Black Cats enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, forcing three corners inside the opening seven minutes.

None of them amounted to anything, although Dean Whitehead's early half-volley forced Neil Sullivan into a routine save.

Brown's physical presence meant he was inevitably asked to fill the Kevin Kyle role but, while he was a willing enough combatant against the experienced Paul Butler, Sunderland's lack of width limited his influence on the game.

The home side had their own targetman to aim at in Brian Deane and, in the 11th minute, the veteran - who is just four years younger than the combined age of Elliott and Brown - looked to have broken the deadlock.

Deane rose quickest to power in Danny Pugh's corner, but the goal was chalked off by referee Michael Ryan after he had spotted Ormerod tangling with Poom.

Sunderland's response was a tame Brown header into the hands of Neil Sullivan but, as the game degenerated into a messy midfield battle, both sides were crying out for a creative influence to put their foot on the ball.

Whitehead was the Black Cats' most productive outlet and, after Elliott had sent him galloping down the right flank shortly after the half-hour mark, Brown steered his driven cross narrowly wide from ten yards.

That was a rare spark of excitement though, with much of the first half consisting of misplaced passes, mistimed runs and, on the rare occasion either side tried a shot at goal, misses.

Leeds were every bit as culpable as Sunderland, with the days of Champions League trips to Real Madrid now a distant memory.

The Black Cats know all about the monetary implications of leaving the top-flight but, in investing in youngsters with a point to prove, McCarthy has at least guaranteed himself the maximum of effort as he looks to guide his side back to the promised land.

Elliott underlined that commitment as he chased down Stephen Crainey's limp header five minutes after the interval, only for Sullivan's alertness to dig the home side out of trouble.

Robinson drilled a half-volley narrowly wide as Sunderland continued to threaten sporadically but, while that chance went begging, the Wales international was far less profligate when next presented with a goalscoring chance.

His quick free-kick was neatly controlled by Elliott and, after the striker rolled the ball back into his path, Robinson slotted a precise finish across Sullivan and into the far corner. The quality of the strike was in stark contrast to what had gone before but, for their workrate and energy alone, few could begrudge the Black Cats the lead.

They almost doubled their advantage within four minutes - Sullivan getting a fingertip to Carter's drive across the face of goal - but were given a warning shortly after when Frazer Richardson fired over after a determined surge into the Sunderland box.

Caldwell raced over to put pressure on the right midfielder on that occasion, but the centre-half made a far less effective intervention in the 73rd minute. His tussle with centre-half Carlisle degenerated into a wrestling match but, after referee Michael Ryan pointed to the spot, Poom tumbled to his right to save Ormerod's penalty.

Robinson almost added a second when he headed Carter's centre over but, with Bridges afforded a nine minute run-out to kick-off his second spell on Wearside, Sunderland eased down as full-time approached

Result: Leeds United 0 Sunderland 1.

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